[A/S] Airstream Refinishers

["Harvey Barlow" <harveybarlow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jan,

The Airstream factory will typically refer you to P & S for Airstream
coating jobs.  The service manager referred me when I called to inquire
about a winter special strip and recoat in late 1997.

Following the service manager's recommendation, I called and spoke with
Steve Ruth at P & S.  I liked him immediately and his estimate seemed fair
and reasonable.  We made an appointment for a month or two later.

I showed up on a Sunday afternoon and found full hookups behind his shop as
he had described.  Their shop is west of a small community in OH farm
country.  Very scenic.  Steve lives in a historic farm house on a beautiful
working farm that has been in his family for several generations.  Stripping
and recoating is actually done in what was once a dairy barn, if I remember
correctly.  They are continually busy working on Airstreams, some from all
parts of the country.  P & S stripped and recoated the vintage Airstream
that is housed in the Henry Ford Museum at Dearborn, MI.

Steve, and his son Kevin do the work themselves.  They began working on
Airstreams many years ago because the father/grandfather owned (still does)
an Airstream with a deteriorated finish.  They stripped and recoated the
father/grandfather's Airstream again the week I was there.  Steve is also an
Airstreamer.

Steve was off to a winter Airstream rally in FL when I was there but his son
Kevin stripped and recoated my trailer exactly as agreed.  The price
estimate was also followed to the dollar.

I left the trailer with them for three or four days while my daughter and I
visited the Air Force Aviation Museum in Dayton, OH and the Henry Ford
Museum in Detroit as well as other attractions.  Helena, OH is only a short
drive from Jackson Center and offers an opportunity to tour the Airstream
factory while your trailer is at P & S.  The trailer was ready as promised
when we returned and they accepted an out of state check in payment without
question.

About two years after they stripped and recoated my Airstream, some minor
peeling developed on the roof.  I called Steve and he told me to bring it
back to him.  He examined the trailer, explained that they had experienced
some of the same problems with the clearcoat material that Airstream, Inc.
had experienced, and had since changed their material vendor.  He stripped
and recoated my trailer from the beltline up for a second time, at no
charge, and voluntarily provided a two year warranty on the job.

Steve and Kevin are honest and fair and will stand behind their work.  I
recommend them.  I am not paid for endorsements but gladly recommend them
because of my experience.  Feel free to use my name if you call.  It won't
get you a discount but may get a smile from Steve or Kevin to know that
their work is appreciated.

Harvey Barlow
Lubbock, TX